In 1997, Hester Martinez founded the first National Extremadura Festival. This festival was the new structure for the metropolitan festivals that had been taking place during the previous 12 years.

The results were positive. There was one more event in the year which would impulse, spread and diffuse contemporary dance. This festival was incorporated into the National Network of Dance Festivals. Due to this it promoted the work of 6 local groups within that same network and some of the dancers and choreographers were invited to present their work internationally.

Extremadura is an international cultural event which takes place during 10 to 15 days and its purpose is to introduce diverse choreographic languages of contemporary dance to our audience and various Mexican communities. It brings together scholars, choreographers, dancers and companies from Mexico, the USA and other countries. This year is the tenth edition.

Throughout the years we have had support from the National Council of Culture and Arts (CONACULTA), the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), the Japan Foundation, The State Council of Culture and Arts of Nuevo León (Conarte), the Swiss Institute and Embassy of Sweden, the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL) and the Superior School of Music and Dance (ESMD), etc.

The International Contemporary Choreography Prize takes place within the festival. In addition, many artists that perform in the festival give workshops, master classes and/or conferences concerning their creative work or techniques.

This year the 2007 festival will be celebrated from October 20th thru 28th at two of Monterrey's main theatres: Teatro de la ciudad de Monterrey and the Teatro de las Artes at the Centro de las Artes. Workshops, master classes and conferences will be held at the Superior School of Music and Dance (Escuela Superior de Música y Danza). There will also be a Seminar of Dance Criticism taking place during the festival. The Seminar will also be held at the Museo de Historia Mexicana, Monterrey, Mexico.

The International Extremadura Contemporary Dance Festival is an active member of the National Network of Dance Festivals which is part of the National Coordination of Dance which belongs to the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), which is testimony to the seriousness and high quality of the festival.

During the last seven years, 22 local companies, 16 companies from other parts of Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Mazatlán, Hermosillo, Sonora, San Luis Potosí and others) and 9 companies from throughout the world have participated in the festival. Also, 25 different distinguished local and regional choreographers have been included in the last four editions of the Regional Choreography Award which takes place during the Extremadura Festival.